MILWAUKEE — JLA Architects is pleased to welcome Justin Stuebs as a Project Manager in our Milwaukee office. In this role, Justin will lead and support clients, consultants, and internal teams through every stage of the architectural process—from initial concept to occupancy. While he will be based in Milwaukee, Justin will actively collaborate with colleagues across all three of JLA’s offices.
With over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, operations, and the manufacturing industry, Justin brings a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and creative design thinking to JLA. His career includes roles at national and local firms leading projects in varying markets from multifamily to commercial. His experience also includes operations leadership at a major commercial sign company, where he managed cross-functional departments, optimized manufacturing throughput, and guided projects for iconic locations like the Prudential Tower and the Chicago Tribune Tower. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, strategic project management, and a deep commitment to design excellence.
“We are excited to welcome Justin to JLA,” said Steve Wagner, Vice President and Milwaukee Office Director. “His broad experience across project types and his ability to lead teams through complex design and construction processes will be a great asset to our clients and project teams.”
A two-time graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Justin holds both a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture. Please join us in welcoming Justin Stuebs to the JLA team.
Learn More About JUstin
What drew you to architecture? What do you love about it?
As a kid, I was always into the art of making, whether sketching, coloring, or building with toys like Legos, Lincoln Logs or wooden scraps from my dad’s carpentry bin. I was always curious about making and creating, and letting my imagination translate into building something. As I grew older, I was involved in many industrial arts and drafting classes which continued to foster my creative curiosity and how it could translate to problem solving. It was at that time that I thought, I can do THIS for a living – Architecture here I come!
What’s your favorite (or most unique) project you’ve worked on and why?
The most unique would have to be Belair Cantina at 1935 N Water Street in Milwaukee. The single-story restaurant was built on a site that once served as a Department of Public Works (DPW) storage facility. Now developed with mixed use residential around the restaurant roof has a curved “plow like” roof form paying homage to the once-stored plow trucks at the DPW. There was also an 800 s.f. building adjacent to the restaurant that housed the DPW offices, ironically, though very derelict, small, and seemingly unusable this building was on the historic register which posed a planning problem with the very tight site. Functionally the kitchen and back of house operations were strategically placed in the perceived “unusable” building allowing the taller curved open bar area to be the center of dining and bar activity.
I should also mention the UW-Superior Student Union (Yellow Jacket Union), as this project really allowed me to get fully immersed in the architectural process from concept to completion. It was the first UW-Systems building that had an intensive green roof system. It was a project that tested my design skills and understanding of the collaborative process not only internally, but with a team of student-led designers throughout the process.
What do you do for fun? Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
Family life is number one, we love the outdoors, days at the library, taking weekend trips (finding a good waterpark) and enjoying our experiences as a bonded crew.
Personally, I really enjoy being a warrior DIY’er. I have completed many home renovation projects and also enjoy fine woodworking and antiquing. In our basement bathroom renovation, I used a 1900’s wrought iron sewing table as the vanity base.
I am a sneakerhead. It’s a unique hobby for sure, but as a boy in a large family we could only afford the off-brand sneakers, while all my friends had the latest Nikes, Adidas, and Reebok shoes. I remember dreaming and wishing that one day I could own the “cool shoes”, so I have collected (and wear) sneakers, both vintage and current. I have a special room in our house that I call the “vault” to store all my collectibles (bless my wife’s heart).
Are you involved in the community? What causes mean the most to you?
My wife and I are involved in community development via our church, we lead an art class for Vacation Bible School every year and serve on the community meal drive that is hosted at the church biweekly. This is open to the public and a great vessel to engage the community as a whole. We are also recently involved in the YMCA this past year, coaching a youth soccer team that our son Hans participated in.